Warren man in custody after alleged hostage-taking

WARREN — A Spring Street man was arrested at his home after he allegedly showed a knife to a pizza delivery man then held his own family hostage with a crossbow Thursday night.

Police went to the home at 8:42 p.m. after the delivery man fled and called 911.

Police Chief Bruce D. Spiewakowski said Warren Police Detective Mark Chase and Officer Joseph LaFlower went to the house along with state troopers from the Brookfield barracks and officers from neighboring West Brookfield.

West Brookfield Officer Patrick Swain used one of his department's recently-issued Tasers to subdue the man, who was taken from the home on a stretcher after about 45 minutes.

Chief Spiewakowski said the man was being taken to Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers in Palmer for a psychiatric evaluation. The chief said the man would be facing charges.

Neighbors on the street in the West Warren section of town said the excitement was unusual. One man who lives next door to the home where the incident took place said a state trooper knocked on his door and told him to move his family to the top floor and to stay at the rear of the house because police had their guns drawn.

Cruisers lined the narrow street and some residents stood outside watching police come and go before the man was brought out to a waiting ambulance.

Police did not release the man's name, but Chief Spiewakowski said he expected to issue a press release with more information later this evening.